Charteris Bay

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32637, 19 June 1971, Page 16

Charteris Bay

Sir, —The letters of “Resident” and "Parent” cannot remain unanswered, as obviously both are completely illinformed and not familiar with the site. The jetty is to to be erected off a rocky point at the foot of a public reserve, on a foreshore useless for bathing or picknicking. The only area where a boat can pick up passengers in Paradise Bay is on -the sandy beach which in summer is crowded with swimmers. Surely your correspondents, in their endeavour to stop what the majority and authorities consider an absolute necessity, would not wish to be held responsible for a nasty or fatal accident which is inevitable if a jetty is not provided to serve boats both with passengers and gear. I invite objectors to view the proposal with me. If they are truly familiar with it, they must agree it would not be an encumbrance but a long-awaited amenity for safety.—Yours, D. O. CHAPMAN. June 18, 1971. Sir, —In reply to "Father” it occurs to me that the writer does not really appreciate the care others show for the safety of his children when bathing or swimming in Paradise Bay. A jetty in Paradise Bay or an extention of Baker’s jetty, a fraction more south of Paradise Bay, would be a great asset to this popular area, now enjoyed by many fathers and residents. —Yours, etc., (MISS) V. A. CAIRNS. June 18, 1971.

Sir,—l read that a Charteris Bay resident is concerned about the possibility of an additional jetty in his area. If what he says is true, this is a worth-while complaint. Beach-users throughout New Zealand should band together against indiscriminate buildings on beaches. I know of a wonderful Queen Charlotte scenic area beach that has been ruined by such bureaucratic vandalism. New Zealanders should wake up and speak up before their seaside areas are ruined by grasping landowners and indolent public servants, as has, happened overseas and is happening now in New Zealand.— Yours, etc., WORLD TRAVELLER. June 17, 1971.

Sir, —Is information available from the Lyttelton Harbour Board and from the

Mount Herbert County Council as to whether the proposed jetty is for public use, or to be constructed (charitably) by some private local boat-owners. If the latter, presumably they already have sheds along the shore in which to store their craft. By all means let the Harbour Board build a big jetty for the use any power-boat owners, but in the right place, that is, off the point from the official launching ramp and parking area, where it will not be an obscenity, a hazard to children, and an aggravation, by virtue of access, to the existing traffic danger on the main road.—Yours, etc., EGG BEATER June 18, 1971.

Sir, —Application has been made to the Lyttelton Harbour Board for permission to erect a large jetty at Charteris Bay near Paradise Beach. I have the strongest objections to such a proposal because there are more than enough boat sheds, slipways, and jetties along the foreshore now. As a regular user of the area I do feel it is the board’s duty and responsibility to prevent any more obstacles cluttering up the shore line. This part of Charteris Bay should be a beach reserve and no further facilities should be permitted to power-boat owners who now criss-cross the area with little regard for the many swimmers, canoeists and small children in rowing boats. Yours, etc., CONCERNED GRANDPARENT. June 18, 1971.